Post-hole auger.



B. G., W. P. &'T. WATKINS. POST HOLE AUGER.

APPLmATLoN FILED MAY 17,1912.

Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

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BENJAMN G. WATK'INS, WALTER P. WATKNS, AND TAYLOR WATKNS, OF ELZA- BETHTW'N, KENTUCKY.

roer-HOLE Artena.

Specication of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

Application led May 1'7, 191%. Serial No. 698,020.

To all whom t may concern Be 1t known that we, BnNJAtHN G. WAT- i xi'Ns, WALTER P. WATKINS, and TAYLOR `WAT mns, citizens of the United States, and residents of Elizabethtown, in the county of Hardin and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Post-Hole Angers, otwhich the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

v This invention has relation to Lcertain new and useful improvements in earth augers.

Our invention has for its object to improve the construction of that class ot augers which are employed in boring post holes.

To this end the invention consists in constructing a semi-cylindrical sheet metal member which is provided with a pointed curved cutting blade, and an earth carrying tiange, the auger being especially adapted to be used in soggy clinging earth.

With these and other objects in view, the vpresent invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and finally pointed out in the appended claims, it being further understood that changes in the speciic structure shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views: Figure 1, is an elevational view with parts broken away of an earth auger embodying our invention. Figs. 2 and 3, are elevational views of the auger head, disclosing opposite edges of the same. Fig. 4 is a section on line 4, 4 of Fig. 1.

In our present invention we provide an earth auger especially adapted to be used in wet, soggy and Vclinging soil, as well as in eX- tremely hard earth, in that, as the hole is bored water is introduced, this resulting in the earth clinging to the auger. In emptying the auger it is simply necessary to lightly tap the same in order to remove the collected material.

n the drawings the numeral 1, designates a sheet metal cylindrical member preferably including a cylinder of approximately ot a circle, so that there is formed a lengthwise running opening between the auger edges 2 and 3, of approximately 144 degrees.

As clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the lower portion 4, ot' the longitudinal edge 3,

is sharpened, and bulgcd outward. rihis is necessary in order that the auger will bore a hole slightlylarger than its main diameter, to facilitate the removal of the auger from the hole.

` v wardly directed flange 9, having its edge 10, sharpened. .As disclosed in Fig. 4, this iiange is of decreasing width the end x, being wider than the end y.' An escape opening is formed between the end y and the dished cutter 5, and the bulging 4, is formed at union of the edge with a cutter blade.

Secured to the upper edge of the auger, is a Spanner 12, having a threaded handle sockets 13, and the apertured ends 14, which by means of the rivets 15, are secured at diametrically opposite points to the head 1. Secured within the socket 13, is the pipe 16, having the head 18, giving support to the operating handle 17.

As explained, the auger is especially adapted to be used in moist earth. The blade 5, cuts the soil, which as the auger works downward, rides upward over the flange 9. Being moist the earth clings to the inner surface of the auger head and is carried thereby. When a suitable amount of earth has been collected within the auger head the tool is removed from the hole and slightly tapped when the clinging earth readily slips out of the auger head. In advancing, the auger makes a smooth round hole. All stones as they are dislodged, roll over the blade 5, without interfering with the operation of the tool. The stones are manually removed after the auger is withdrawn, though the smaller stones will of course be carried up and be contained by the clinging soil.

Where the earth is particularly hard and stony the point marking the location of the post hole is moistened, then as the auger is advanced in the earth Water is introduced into the opening resulting in the earth at the bottom being moistened so that the same can be readily removed.

A t the edge 4, and lower end the lmember. V1s continued in the acute Yangled or Y lt is of course understood that angers em-Y bodying our invention may bemade of Various sizes; 'f The tool 1s simple and inexpensive 1n con-Y struction and both durable and efficient in'A operation and enable anoperatcr to bore AaV post hole of any suitable size and depth, with ease,zaccurac'y and despatch.

Having thus described our saldinvention, what we claim as new and desire to secureV of said member and ending at a point marking the center of said cylindrical member, an obliquelyfextending flange of gradually decreasing width starting from the ether longitudinal edge of said member, an access opening being formed between said iiange and site ofV vsaidfiange and blade. g Y

Y 2.'.Anearth auger including inV combinaf tion, la semi-cylindrical memberv fromV onef edge Vof whichextends a dishedsector shaped blade and Said 'lengua-dimi "edge buiging outwardly at its union with saidblade, andVV a Spanner havingv a handle; Socket secured;

to said cylindrical member at the end oppocutting blade withan adjacent obliquely eX- tending flange of gradually decreasing width extending from. the opposite edge,

an accessopening being formed between said flange and blade, and ahandlersecured to said cylindrical member.

In testimony whereof we aiX our signa' tures. in presence of two witnesses. A

`BENJAMN Gr. WATKINS. WALTER P. WATKNS. TAYLOR WATKINS. Y.

Witnesses: Y n f W. H. ROBERTSON,

L. K. ENGLISH.

" Copies of this batent may 13e-obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents; Y l Washington, 10.0. l 

